Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus
Rebuilding: The Legacy of Nehemiah Part 2
Lament, Repent, and Rebuilding
Locations & Times
Church of The Nazarene- East Rock
East Side Hwy, Elkton, VA 22827, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Today are continuing our first teaching series for the new year called “Rebuilding: The Legacy of Nehemiah.”
To rebuild can mean to make extensive repairs, or to restore something back to a previous state. To simply build again.
Over the next few weeks we will dive deeper into the story of Nehemiah to gain insight and encouragement for our own rebuilding story.
When Nehemiah hears that things have fallen apart, he gets busy right away, but it’s not what you migh think.
Rather than bricks and mortar, Nehemiah begins the work of rebuilding by slowing down and spending time with the Lord before he ever lifts a brick.
He starts rebuilding with prayer, confession, and lament.
To rebuild can mean to make extensive repairs, or to restore something back to a previous state. To simply build again.
Over the next few weeks we will dive deeper into the story of Nehemiah to gain insight and encouragement for our own rebuilding story.
When Nehemiah hears that things have fallen apart, he gets busy right away, but it’s not what you migh think.
Rather than bricks and mortar, Nehemiah begins the work of rebuilding by slowing down and spending time with the Lord before he ever lifts a brick.
He starts rebuilding with prayer, confession, and lament.
The people are in great trouble and disgrace. They are ashamed of how it’s going, they are being harassed and heckled by their neighbors. The walls around the city of Jerusalem are still broken down and the wooden gates have been burned.
And this news is more than a deadline not being met, or a construction project failing. This news strikes deep in the heart of Nehemiah.
And this news is more than a deadline not being met, or a construction project failing. This news strikes deep in the heart of Nehemiah.
When it says he wept- It’s expressive of regret, disappointment, or bitterness. It’s ugly crying, ugly emotions, all expressed in the presence of the Lord.
It says he mourned- That is to show physical and emotional sorrow or regret. It has the idea of lament which is a passionate expression of grief and sorrow. He didn’t try to bottle it up inside, didn’t pretend he was tough and fine. He was honest with himself and the Lord about how he felt.
He fasted- He intentionally skipped eating so he could focus on prayer.
This critical work of rebuilding went on for 4 months.
It says he mourned- That is to show physical and emotional sorrow or regret. It has the idea of lament which is a passionate expression of grief and sorrow. He didn’t try to bottle it up inside, didn’t pretend he was tough and fine. He was honest with himself and the Lord about how he felt.
He fasted- He intentionally skipped eating so he could focus on prayer.
This critical work of rebuilding went on for 4 months.
As Nehemiah begins to put more articulate words to his mourning and grieving, he begins with worship.
He moves from worship to confession and repentance. Biblical confession is openly acknowledging the truth, admitting our sin and wrong, and ultimately seeing it through God’s perspective. It’s to agree with Him.
He moves from worship to confession and repentance. Biblical confession is openly acknowledging the truth, admitting our sin and wrong, and ultimately seeing it through God’s perspective. It’s to agree with Him.
As Nehemiah confesses sin, he turns and appeals to the nature and character of God as the great rebuilder of his people. He is calling back on the promises that he made to Moses, generations ago.
Nehemiah understands that God is a rebuilding God, and he is faithful. So Nehemiah’s prayers arent focused on his plans and what he wants- he is praying God’s promises. He has surrendered his desires and his plans for rebuilding to the Lord.
During this phase of rebuilding, Nehemiah did the important work of aligning his heart with the Lord. He challenges us to consider our response when things have fallen apart.
Will we rush into the rebuilding with our tools in hand, or will we turn to the the Lord for his rebuilding within us first?
This is the legacy of Nehemiah... Lament, Repent, Rebuild.
Nehemiah understands that God is a rebuilding God, and he is faithful. So Nehemiah’s prayers arent focused on his plans and what he wants- he is praying God’s promises. He has surrendered his desires and his plans for rebuilding to the Lord.
During this phase of rebuilding, Nehemiah did the important work of aligning his heart with the Lord. He challenges us to consider our response when things have fallen apart.
Will we rush into the rebuilding with our tools in hand, or will we turn to the the Lord for his rebuilding within us first?
This is the legacy of Nehemiah... Lament, Repent, Rebuild.